U.S. patent application number 14/578890 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for image editing apparatus allowing easy editing of preview images.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Kumiko Ogino, Shinsaku Tohki.
Application Number | 20150116741 14/578890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45871955 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150116741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogino; Kumiko ; et
al. |
April 30, 2015 |
IMAGE EDITING APPARATUS ALLOWING EASY EDITING OF PREVIEW IMAGES
Abstract
An image editing apparatus allowing easy edition of page
arrangement order on the preview display of page images includes a
display device having a display screen and a preview display device
configured to display image data in a scrollable manner. If any
page is selected from the images of preview display, the selected
page is displayed as a reduced image at a position different from
the preview images. By drag-and-dropping the reduced image to an
arrangement of preview images, the selected page moves to the
drag-and-dropped position in the image data.
Inventors: |
Ogino; Kumiko; (Osaka-Shi,
JP) ; Tohki; Shinsaku; (Osaka-Shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
45871955 |
Appl. No.: |
14/578890 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13242872 |
Sep 23, 2011 |
8966364 |
|
|
14578890 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0094 20130101;
G06K 15/026 20130101; H04N 2201/3288 20130101; G06K 15/1867
20130101; H04N 1/00458 20130101; H04N 1/00448 20130101; G06T 11/60
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.9 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/02 20060101
G06K015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2010 |
JP |
2010-216586 |
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. An image editing apparatus, comprising: a display device having
a display screen; a storage device configured to store image data
of a plurality of pages; a preview display device configured to
display preview images of pages of the image data stored in said
storage device in accordance with a sequence of pages on said
display screen; a selecting device configured to select any of the
preview images displayed by said preview image display device, in
response to a user operation; a selected page display device
responsive to selection of any of said preview images by said
selecting device, configured to display a prescribed image
representing a page corresponding to the selected preview image on
said display screen; and an editing device responsive to a user
operation of moving the image displayed by said selected page
display device to a position between any two preview images in the
sequence of said preview images, configured to edit a page sequence
of said image data stored in said storage device.
19. The image editing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said
preview display device displays preview images of the image data
stored in said storage device in a scrollable manner; and said
selected page display device displays the image representing the
page corresponding to said selected preview image independent from
scrolling of the preview images by said preview display device.
20. The image editing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said
image displayed by said selected page display device is smaller
than the preview image of the corresponding page displayed by said
preview display device.
21. The image editing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said
selecting device is capable of selecting a plurality of preview
images among the preview images displayed by said preview display
device; and said selected page display device displays an image or
images corresponding to one or more pages selected by said
selecting device among the preview images displayed by said preview
display device on said display screen.
22. The image editing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said
selecting device can select a plurality of preview images at any
positions from among the preview images displayed by said preview
display device.
23. The image editing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said
selected page display device displays said prescribed image
representing said page corresponding to said preview image selected
by said selecting device on said display screen separately from
said preview images.
24. The image editing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein in
response to a dragging operation by a user drag-and-dropping said
image displayed by said selected page display device to a position
between preview images next to each other in the sequence of
preview images displayed by said preview display device, said
editing device moves a position of the page corresponding to the
image in said image data.
25. The image editing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said
editing device inserts the page corresponding to said image
displayed by said selected page display device to a position
determined by a dropped position of said dragging operation, in the
sequence of said preview images, in said image data.
26. The image editing apparatus according to claim 18, further
comprising: a selection cancelling device responsive to a user
operation, configured to cancel selection of the page selected by
said page selecting device; and an erasing device configured to
erase, in response to cancellation by said selection cancelling
device, that image among the images displayed by said selected page
display device which corresponds to the page of which selection is
cancelled by said selection cancelling device.
27. In an image editing apparatus including a display device having
a display screen, and a storage device configured to store image
data of a plurality of pages, an image editing method of editing
images, comprising: a preview display step of displaying preview
images of pages of the image data stored in said storage device in
accordance with a sequence of pages on said display screen; a
selecting step of selecting any of the preview images displayed at
said preview display step, in response to a user operation; a
selected page display step of displaying, in response to selection
of any of said preview images at said selecting step, a prescribed
image representing a page corresponding to the selected preview
image on said display screen; and an editing step of editing, in
response to a user operation of moving the image displayed at said
selected page display step to a position between any two preview
images in the sequence of said preview images, a page sequence of
said image data stored in said storage device.
28. The image editing method according to claim 27, wherein at said
preview display step, preview images of the image data stored in
said storage device are displayed in a scrollable manner; and at
said selected page display step, the image representing the
selected preview image is displayed independent from scrolling of
the preview images by said preview display device.
29. The image editing method according to claim 27, wherein said
image displayed at said selected page display step is smaller than
the preview image of the corresponding page displayed at said
preview display step.
30. The image editing method according to claim 27, wherein at said
selecting step, a plurality of preview images can be selected from
among the preview images displayed at said preview display step;
and at said selected page display step, an image corresponding to
one or a plurality of pages selected at said selecting step among
the preview images displayed at said preview display step is
displayed, separately from said preview images, on said display
screen.
31. The image editing method according to claim 30, wherein at said
selecting step, a plurality of preview images at any positions can
be selected from among the preview images displayed by said preview
display device.
32. The image editing method according to claim 27, wherein at said
editing step, in response to a dragging operation by a user
drag-and-dropping said image displayed by said selected page
display device to a position between preview images next to each
other in the sequence of preview images displayed by said preview
display device, a position of the page corresponding to the image
is moved in said image data.
33. The image editing method according to claim 32, wherein at said
editing step, the page corresponding to said image displayed by
said selected page display device is inserted to a position
determined by a dropped position of said dragging operation, in the
sequence of said preview images, in said image data.
34. The image editing method according to claim 27, further
comprising: a selection cancelling step of cancelling, in response
to a user operation, selection of the page selected at said page
selecting step; and an erasing step of erasing, in response to
cancellation at said selection cancelling step, that image among
the images displayed at said selected page display step which
corresponds to the page of which selection is cancelled at said
selection cancelling step.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No. 2010-216580 filed in
Japan on Sep. 28, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus
and, more specifically, to an image editing apparatus allowing
edition of image data using preview display.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0005] Recently, multifunctional peripherals as one type of image
editing apparatus are introduced to many places of business
(companies and offices). A multifunctional peripheral has a
plurality of basic operational modes such as a copy mode, a
facsimile mode, a network-supported printer mode and a scanner
mode. Such a multifunctional peripheral is often provided with a
touch-panel display. It is possible for a user to confirm and edit
image data on the display. The user can operate the touch-panel
while viewing displayed screen images. The multifunctional
peripheral additionally has various functions such as storage of
image data and preview display. It is often the case that the user
also uses the operation panel to give instructions related to these
functions. Therefore, an interface screen image of the image
editing apparatus comes to play more important role.
[0006] For confirming and editing image data, preview display is
frequently used. By the preview display, the user can easily
confirm how the image data will be output. By a preview display
including a plurality of image data, the user can easily confirm
the page order of image data.
[0007] An example of preview display function is disclosed in
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-171780. According to this
technique, a preview display of a read image is given, and
thumb-nail display is given for images that have been read. By this
technique, the order of image data can readily be confirmed by the
thumbnail display. When any of the thumbnail images is selected
after reading is completed, preview image of the selected image is
given.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] When one wishes to change the order of page images while
viewing the preview display, a commonly used method is as follows.
One selects the page image to be moved, drags the image, and drops
the image at a desired position. Background image is scrolled as
needed. By such a process, the order of page images can easily be
changed.
[0009] The above-described process, however, has a problem that the
amount of scrolling increases and operation becomes troublesome if
the number of page images is large. If the operation is to be made
using the thumbnail display as disclosed in Japanese Patent
Laying-Open No, 2010-171780, it is difficult to confirm contents of
each page image and, therefore, the operation is still troublesome.
Further, the process described above has a problem that a plurality
of pages positioned away from each other cannot be selected at once
to be moved to the same position.
[0010] Therefore, it is desirable that, in an image editing
apparatus providing preview display of page images, page order can
easily be edited.
[0011] It is more desirable that, in an image editing apparatus
providing preview display of page images, positions of a plurality
of pages at arbitrary positions can easily be changed.
[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides
an image editing apparatus, including: a display device having a
display screen; a storage configured to store image data of a
plurality of pages; a preview display device configured to display
preview images of the image data stored in the storage in a
scrollable manner on the display screen; a page selecting device
configured to select any page of the image data in response to a
user operation; a selected page display device, configured to
display an image representing a page selected by the page selecting
device on the display screen, separate from the preview image
displayed by the preview display device and independent from
scrolling by the preview display device; and an editing device
configured to edit page order of the image data in response to a
user operation on the image displayed by the selected page display
device.
[0013] The image representing the selected page is displayed
separately and independently from the preview display, by the
selected page display device. Therefore, even when the preview
display is scrolled, the image is kept displayed. The user can
easily confirm which page has been selected while scrolling the
preview display. When a user instruction is given to the image, the
page order of image data is changed by the editing apparatus. The
user can change the page order while confirming the image of
selected page. As a result, in the image editing apparatus
providing preview display of page images, the page order can easily
be edited. The image displayed by the selected page display device
may be the preview image of reduced size, or it may be a text
image, or a numeral indicating the page number.
[0014] Preferably, the image displayed by the selected page display
device is the image of the page selected by the page selecting
device, and smaller than the image of the page displayed by the
preview display device.
[0015] Since the image is displayed as the image of selected page
in a smaller size than the preview display, the user can recognize
at one sight which page is the selected page. Since the image is
smaller than the preview image, it does not interfere with the
preview display, and the image can be displayed even on an image
editing apparatus having a small display panel.
[0016] Preferably, the image editing apparatus includes a moving
apparatus configured to move, in response to a user operation of
dragging the image displayed by the selected page display device to
an arrangement of preview images displayed by the preview display
device, a page corresponding to the image in the image data.
[0017] When the image is dragged to the preview image, the drag
operation is reflected on the image data and the order of pages of
image data is changed. Since the user can change the page order by
directly moving the image itself, the operation is simple and
clear.
[0018] More preferably, the preview display device further displays
a button instructing deletion of the image data on the display
screen. The editing apparatus further includes a deleting device,
configured to delete, in response to a user operation of
drag-and-dropping the image displayed by the selected page display
device to the button displayed by the preview display device, a
page corresponding to the image from the image data.
[0019] Page deletion can also be realized by dragging the image,
similar to the change of page order. Therefore, the operation for
deleting a page is very simple to understand.
[0020] Preferably, the image editing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention further includes an inserting device,
configured to move and insert, in response to a user operation of
selecting the preview image displayed by the preview display device
and drag-and-dropping the preview image on the display screen, the
page selected and drag-and-dropped by the user to a position
corresponding to the drag-and-dropped position in the arrangement
of the image data of a plurality of pages.
[0021] The page order of image data can also be changed by the
operation of drag-and-dropping the preview image. Therefore, the
user can change the page order of image data by operating either
the preview image or the image displayed by the selected page
display device.
[0022] Preferably, the image editing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention further includes a selection cancelling,
device configured to cancel selection of the page selected by the
page selecting device, in response to a user operation; and an
erasing device configured to erase, in response to cancellation by
the selection cancelling device, that image among the images
displayed by the selected page display device which corresponds to
the page of which selection is cancelled by the selection
cancelling device.
[0023] When selection of an image is cancelled, the image is
erased. Therefore, only the images in the selected state are
displayed and, the user can easily confirm, as needed, which page
or pages are selected.
[0024] According to a second aspect, the present invention
provides, in an image editing apparatus including a display device
having a display screen, a storage configured to store image data
of a plurality of pages, and a preview display device configured to
display preview images of the image data stored in the storage in a
scrollable manner on the display screen, an image editing method of
editing order of the image data, including the steps of selecting,
in response to a user operation, any page of the image data;
displaying, in response to selection of any page at the selecting
step, an image representing the page selected at the page selecting
step, separate from the preview image displayed by the preview
display device and independent from scrolling by the preview
display device, on the display screen; and editing, in response to
a user operation on the image displayed on the display screen,
order of pages of the image data.
[0025] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides
a non-transitory, computer readable recording medium recording a
computer program for operating a computer connected to a display
device having a display screen and to a storage configured to store
image data of a plurality of pages, the program causing, when
executed by the computer, the computer to execute the following
image editing method. Specifically, the image editing method
includes the steps of: displaying a preview image of image data
stored in the storage on the display screen; scrolling, in response
to a prescribed scrolling instruction by a user on the preview
image displayed on the display screen, the preview image in a
direction designated by the scroll instruction; selecting, in
response to a user operation, any page of the image data;
displaying, in response to selection of any page at the selecting
step, an image representing the page selected at the page selecting
step, separate from the preview image displayed at the step of
displaying a preview image, on the display screen; and editing
order of pages of the image data, in response to a user operation
on the images displayed on the display screen. The scrolling step
includes the step of scrolling, in response to a prescribed scroll
instruction by the user on the preview image displayed on the
display screen, the preview image in a direction designated by the
scroll instruction, without changing display position of the image
representing the selected page.
[0026] According to the present invention, the page image selected
by the user is displayed on an area different from the preview
display. Even when the preview display changes, the display of page
image is maintained, and it is also possible to edit the image data
using the page image. Therefore, it is possible for the user to
edit image data while confirming the display of page image.
[0027] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the
image editing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 schematically shows an internal configuration of the
image editing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration
of the image editing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a 1D fit screen image displayed on a
touch-panel display.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows a 2D screen image displayed on the touch-panel
display.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows a page flow screen image displayed on the
touch-panel display.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows a display given when a page image is selected
on the preview display of FIG. 4.
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a display when a reduced image of the page
image is dragged.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows the preview display after the reduced display
of page image is drag-and-dropped.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows a preview display when the preview display is
drag-and-dropped.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a
program for executing processes in accordance with touched
positions.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a
program executing a process in response to an operation on the
preview display.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a
program executing a process in response to an operation of
all-select/clear key.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a
program executing a process in response to an operation on the
reduced image.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] In the following description, the same components are
denoted by the same reference characters. Their names and functions
are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not
be repeated.
[0043] The image editing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention will be described with reference to an image forming
apparatus as an example. The present invention, however, is not
limited to such an embodiment. The present invention is applicable
to an image editing apparatus other than such an image forming
apparatus. The image editing apparatus may be any apparatus that
reads a document, provides preview display of document images, and
allows page-by-page edition of the images.
[0044] It is assumed that the image editing apparatus in accordance
with the present embodiment-includes a touch-panel display that can
be operated by gesture operations as well as touch operations other
than the gesture operations. The present invention, however, is not
limited to such an embodiment. The image editing apparatus may
include a touch-panel display allowing touch operations only.
[0045] The image editing apparatus forms an image on a sheet of
recording paper by electro-photography. The image editing apparatus
includes, as operational modes, copy mode, mail mode, FAX mode,
i-FAX mode (facsimile transmission through the Internet), shared
folder mode, data input mode, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) mode and
desk top mode. In the following, configuration of image editing
apparatus 100 will be described referring to the operation in the
copy mode as an example.
[0046] [Function]
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, image editing apparatus 100
includes a document reading unit 102, an image forming unit 104, a
paper feed unit 106, a paper discharge unit 108 and an operation
unit 120. Operation unit 120 includes a touch-panel display 130 and
a display operation unit 140. Touch-panel display 130 includes a
display panel 132 formed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and
a touch-panel 134 arranged on display panel 132, which detects a
position of a user's finger touching the surface. Display operation
unit 140 includes a pilot lamp 142, a power key 144, an
energy-saving key 146, and a home key 148 for returning the display
screen image of touch-panel display 130 to a home screen image
allowing selection of an operational mode.
[0048] As described above, image editing apparatus 100 in
accordance with the present embodiment is provided with touch-panel
display 130 as a main operation device, and, in addition, with
display operation unit 140 including hardware keys and a pilot
lamp. The keys (power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home key
148) of display operation unit 140 are hardware buttons, different
from the software buttons realized by touch-panel display 130. The
operational modes of image editing apparatus 100 as such will be
described.
[0049] --Copy Mode--
[0050] In the following, an operation in the copy mode will be
described. In the copy mode, mainly document reading unit (also
referred to as a scanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104
operate.
[0051] In image editing apparatus 100, a document placed on a
platen is read by document reading unit 102 as image data. The read
image data is input to CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300
implemented, for example, by a microcomputer shown in FIG. 3. The
image data is subjected to various image processing operations
here, and the resulting image data is output to image forming unit
104. In image editing apparatus 100, it is possible to read data
once, to provide preview display of the images, to execute various
data editions, and thereafter to output the data, rather than to
provide a copy output immediately. For this purpose, on touch-panel
display 130, a scan start key (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) is
displayed, in addition to the copy start key. When the copy start
key is pressed, the image is output immediately after document
reading, to a recording medium (in most cases, sheet of recording
paper). When the scan start key is pressed, image data is once
stored in the storage, and a preview image is produced and
displayed on touch-panel display 130. After the preview image is
displayed on touch-panel display 130, various editing processes may
be made. The editing processes will be described later. Here, a
process in which the image is immediately formed on a sheet of
recording paper after reading the document will be described.
[0052] Image forming unit 104 is for printing an image of the
document represented by the image data on a recording medium. Image
forming unit 104 includes a photoreceptor drum 222, a charger 224,
a laser scanning unit (hereinafter denoted as LSU) 226, a developer
228, a transfer device 230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device
234 and a neutralizer, not shown.
[0053] In image forming unit 104, a main feeding path 236 and a
reverse feeding path 238 are provided, and a sheet of recording
paper fed from paper feed unit 106 is fed along main feeding path
236. Paper feed unit 106 draws out sheets of recording paper
stacked on a paper feed cassette 240 or on a manual feed tray 242
one by one, and feeds the sheet of paper to main feeding path 236
of image forming unit 104.
[0054] While the sheet of recording paper is fed along main feeding
path 236 of image forming unit 104, the sheet passes between
photoreceptor drum 222 and transfer device 230, and further passes
through fixing device 234, whereby printing is done on the sheet of
recording paper.
[0055] Photoreceptor drum 222 rotates in one direction, and its
surface is cleaned by cleaning device 232 and the neutralizer and,
thereafter, uniformly charged by charger 224.
[0056] LSU 226 modulates the laser beam based on the image data to
be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of photoreceptor drum
222 with the modulated laser beam in a main scanning direction,
whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of
photoreceptor drum 222.
[0057] Developer 228 develops the electrostatic latent image by
supplying toner to the surface of photoreceptor drum 222, and thus,
a toner image is formed on the surface of photoreceptor drum
222.
[0058] Transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface
of photoreceptor drum 222 to the sheet of recording paper passing
between transfer device 230 and the photoreceptor drum 222.
[0059] Fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 for heating
the sheet of recording paper and a pressure roller 250 for pressing
the sheet of recording paper. As the sheet of recording paper is
heated by heating roller 248 and pressed by pressure roller 250,
the toner image that has been transferred to the sheet of recording
paper is fixed on the sheet. A heater is heated by electric power
supplied to fixing device 234 and controlled such that temperature
of heating roller 248 attains to an appropriate temperature for
fixing. When operational mode is changed to the energy saving mode,
power supply to the heater is, for example, stopped or reduced.
[0060] At a position of connection between main feeding path 236
and reverse feeding path 238, a separation pawl 244 is arranged.
When printing is done only on one side of the sheet of recording
paper, separation pawl 244 is so positioned that the sheet of
recording paper fed from fixing device 234 is guided to paper
discharge tray 246 or a paper discharge unit 108.
[0061] When printing is done on both sides of the sheet of
recording paper, separation pawl 244 is turned to a prescribed
direction, so that the sheet of recording paper is guided to
reverse feeding path 238. The sheet of recording paper passes
through reverse feeding path 238, turned upside-down and again fed
to main feeding path 236, and while it is again fed along main
feeding path 236, printing is done on its rear surface, and
thereafter the sheet is guided to paper discharge tray 246 or to
paper discharge unit 108.
[0062] The sheet of recording paper printed in the above-described
manner is guided to paper discharge tray 246 or to paper discharge
unit 108, and discharged to paper discharge tray 246 or to any of
paper discharge trays 110 of paper discharge unit 108.
[0063] Paper discharge unit 108 may perform a process of sorting a
plurality of printed sheets of paper to be output to different
discharge trays 110, a process of punching each sheet of recording
paper or a process of stapling the sheets of recording paper.
Assume that a number of copies of the printing are to be prepared.
In that case, sheets of recording paper are sorted and discharged
to paper discharge trays 110 such that each tray 110 contains each
set of printed sheets, and the set of printed sheets in each tray
110 is stapled or punched.
[0064] --Facsimile Mode--
[0065] In the following, an operation in the facsimile mode will be
described. In the facsimile mode, in the transmission operation,
document reading unit (scanner unit) 102 and FAX communication unit
160 mainly operate, and in the reception operation, FAX
communication unit 160 and image forming unit 104 mainly
operate.
[0066] Transmission Operation
[0067] In image editing apparatus 100, the facsimile mode is
designated. A document placed on the platen is read by document
reading unit 102 as image data. The read image data is input to CPU
300 implemented, for example, by a microcomputer shown in FIG. 3,
the image data is subjected to various image processing operations
here, and the resulting image data is output to a FAX communication
unit (FAX communication unit 160 of FIG. 3).
[0068] FAX communication unit 160 of image editing apparatus 100 on
the transmitting side connects a designated transmitting side line
to a designated transmission destination. After connection, FAX
communication unit 160 converts the image data to communication
data in compliance with facsimile transmission standard, and
transmits the converted data to a facsimile machine (such as an
image editing apparatus 100 having the facsimile function) on the
receiving side.
[0069] Communication Operation
[0070] When the line is connected, a FAX communication unit 160 of
the image editing apparatus 100 on the receiving side detects a
communication request signal from FAX communication unit 160 of
image editing apparatus 100 on the transmitting side, and transmits
an acknowledgement signal. Thereafter, by way of example, FAX
communication units 160 on the transmitting and receiving sides
pass performance information supported by transmitting side and
receiving side, determine highest possible speed of communication
and method of coding/code correction of image data, and set the
method of communication of modems. Then, using the image signal
format in compliance with the communication method, data is
transmitted from FAX communication unit 160 of image editing
apparatus 100 on the transmitting side to the FAX communication
unit of image forming apparatus on the receiving side. When
transmission ends, the line is disconnected.
[0071] Reception Operation
[0072] FAX communication unit 160 of image editing apparatus 100 on
the receiving side converts the received data to image data and
passes the data to image forming unit 104. The received data may be
converted to image data at the image forming unit 104. The image
forming unit 104 prints an image of a document represented by the
image data converted from the received data on a sheet of recording
paper, in a manner similar to the operation in the copy mode
described above.
[0073] --Other Image Transmission Mode--
[0074] Operations of the image editing apparatus in mail mode,
i-FAX mode, shared folder mode, data input mode, FTP mode and desk
top mode, as image transmission modes other than the facsimile
mode, will be described. In these image transmission modes, mainly
the document reading unit (scanner unit) 102, image forming unit
104 and network interface (I/F) 304 operate.
[0075] In image editing apparatus 100, a document placed on a
platen is read by document reading unit 102 as image data. The read
image data is input to CPU 300, and subjected to various image
processing operations here. The image data is stored in a storage
device (hard disk 302 as will be described later) provided in image
editing apparatus 100. The image data is converted to a format (for
example, TIFF-F format) usable for i-FAX. The converted data file
is attached to an electronic mail. The electronic mail is
transmitted to another image editing apparatus or to a computer
through network interface 304 and the Internet.
[0076] The image editing apparatus receiving the i-FAX connects to
a mail server at a predetermined time interval, and receives any
mail addressed to it, stored in the mail server.
[0077] Different from the facsimile mode in which a telephone
number of transmission destination is designated, a mail address of
the transmission destination, an IP address, name of a server
computer, a folder name or the like is designated in the image
transmission modes other than the facsimile mode.
[0078] [Control Block Configuration]
[0079] Referring to FIG. 3, image editing apparatus 100 includes:
an operation unit 120 capable of setting functions related to the
copy mode, facsimile mode, document filing mode and mail mode; an
ROM 306 for storing a program or programs; a hard disk (HDD) 302 as
a non-volatile storage device capable of storing programs and data
even when power is cut off; and an RAM (Random Access Memory) 308
providing a storage area when a program is executed.
[0080] Image editing apparatus 100 includes a bus 310, connected to
document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, FAX
communication unit 160, operation unit 120, ROM 306, hard disk 302
and RAM 308; and a CPU 300 connected to bus 310, for executing a
program realizing general functions of the image editing
apparatus.
[0081] Hard disk 302 stores files of image data of documents
scanned by image editing apparatus 100, folder by folder, together
with date and time of saving and name of the user who saved. Hard
disk 302 also stores initial screen image data of respective
operational modes.
[0082] ROM 306 stores programs and data necessary for controlling
operations: of image editing apparatus 100. ROM 306 may store the
initial screen image data of respective operational modes. CPU 300
executes control related to various functions of image editing
apparatus 100 in accordance with the programs and data stored in
ROM 306.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 3, a public line is connected for
transmitting/receiving image data, to FAX communication unit 160 of
image editing apparatus 100. To network interface 304, a network
line is connected. To the network line, a computer using image
editing apparatus 100 as a network-supported printer, other
computer or other image editing apparatus may be connected. When
the network line is connected to the Internet, image editing
apparatus 100 may obtain necessary information and transmit/receive
image data through the Internet.
[0084] RAM 308 provides a function of a working memory for
temporarily storing results of operations and processes by CPU 300,
and a function of a frame memory for storing image data.
[0085] CPU 300 controls document reading unit 102, image forming
unit 104, touch-panel display 130 and display operation unit 140
forming operation unit 120, ROM 306, hard disk 302 and RAM 308 by
executing a prescribed program or programs. Operation unit 120
communicates with CPU 300 through an input/output interface.
[0086] Operation unit 120 is formed of a plate-shaped panel
provided in an inclined manner to be easily viewable by the user.
On a surface of operation unit 120, touch-panel display 130 is
provided on the left side area, and display operation unit 140
(pilot lamp 142 and power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home
key 148 as hardware buttons) is provided on the right side area.
Display 130 and display operation unit 140 form operation unit 120
as one integrated body as a whole.
[0087] As described above, touch-panel display 130 is formed of
display panel 132 and touch-panel 134 arranged on display panel
132. On display panel 132 of touch-panel display 130, a home screen
image allowing selection of an operational mode of image editing
apparatus 100, current state of image editing apparatus 100, status
of destination designation, and status of job processing are
displayed. On a display area of display panel 132, selection
buttons as software buttons are displayed. When a portion where the
selection button is displayed is pressed, the pressed position is
detected by touch-panel 134. By comparing the display position of
the selection button and the position where touch-panel 134 is
pressed using a program, selection of an operational mode, setting
of a function, and instruction of an operation of image editing
apparatus 100 become possible. In addition to such a touch
operation (command input operation based on the position of
pressing by the user), image editing apparatus 100 also allows
gesture operation (command input operation based on trajectory of
operation by the user).
[0088] Pilot lamp 142 of display operation unit 140 may include,
for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). It is turned on/off
(/flickered) under the Control of CPU 300. When the user presses
power key 144 provided separate from a main power switch, image
editing apparatus 100 makes a transition from a standby mode (in
which only the FAX receiving operation is possible with the main
power on) to a normal mode, in which the user can use every
operational mode of image editing apparatus 100. In this state,
pilot lamp 142 is turned and kept on. If a predetermined time
passes without any user operation, or if the user presses
energy-saving key 146, image editing apparatus 100 makes a
transition from the normal mode to the energy saving mode. In the
energy saving mode, only some of the operational modes of image
editing apparatus 100 can be used. In this state, pilot lamp 142
flickers. Further, if the user presses energy-saving key 146 in the
energy saving mode, the image editing apparatus 100 makes a
transition from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. Home key
148 is a hardware key for returning the display of touch-panel
display 130 to the initial state (home screen image).
[0089] In a hardware button (power key 144, energy-saving key 146
and home key 148) of display operation unit 140, a key lamp or key
lamps, which is/are turned on/off (/flickered) under the control of
CPU 300, may be embedded. By way of example, the key lamps provide
a light ring on the edge of a circular key, or the key lamp lights
a central portion of the key. The key lamp is turned on at a timing
when hardware buttons are allowed to be used as the operation
device (at a timing when a process is executed if the hardware
button is used).
[0090] [Image Edition Mode in Preview Display]
[0091] Image editing apparatus 100 has, as display modes for the
preview display, three display modes: a 1D fit display (FIG. 4); a
2D display (FIG. 5); and a page flow display (FIG. 6). Referring to
FIGS. 4 to 6, the display screen images for the respective display
modes will be described.
[0092] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, on the lower right portion of
these screen images, function keys related to reading and printing
are displayed. The area on which these function keys are displayed
is, in the present embodiment, referred to as a "task trigger
area." On the task trigger area, the copy start key mentioned
above, a scan start key, a cancel key and the like are displayed.
In the present embodiment, the task trigger area is always
displayed at the same position in any display mode, except for the
1D fit display. In the following description, in the figures
related to the 1D fit display, the task trigger area is not shown
for easier view of the figures.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, when a document is set on a
platen, not shown, and the user touches a scan start key 442,
document reading unit 102 reads the document, and preview display
of the image data of the document appears. When the user touches a
monochrome print key 446 while the preview is displayed, monochrome
printing of the image data starts. When the user touches a color
print key 448, color printing of the image data starts. If the user
touches a cancel key 444 during execution of reading and printing,
the process being executed is stopped.
[0094] By the preview image, the user can confirm how the image
data will be output. Particularly, the 1D fit screen image shown in
FIG. 4 allows page-by-page edition of image data including
deletion, moving and copying.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 4, on 1D fit screen image 400, various
function keys are displayed, in addition to the preview display 420
of image data. The user can edit, page by page, the image data of
which preview display is given, using these function keys. If the
user touches an all-select/clear key 402, all pages of the preview
display screen image of displayed image data are selected. If
selection of all pages is to be cancelled, the user may again touch
all-select/clear key 402. By drag-and dropping a page image of a
page to be deleted to a page delete key 404, the user can delete
the page. The user can also delete the page by selecting a page
image to be deleted and further by touching page delete key 404. By
touching a magnification change key 406, the user can change the
display magnification of preview display 420. By operating a scroll
button 412 in a scroll bar 410, the user can scroll the page image.
When the user flicks preview display 420, preview display 420 is
scrolled in the direction, amount and velocity of scrolling
corresponding to the direction, trajectory and speed of the flick.
From the position of scroll button 412 in scroll bar 410, the user
can grasp around which portion of the image data as a whole the
preview display 420 is displaying. When the user touches display
mode switching key 408, the display screen image is changed to the
2D screen image shown in FIG. 5 or to the page flow screen image
shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the user can quickly switch the display
screen image by display mode switching key 408.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 5, on 2D screen image 440, pages of image
data are arranged in a matrix. By the preview display of respective
pages, the user can confirm the overall arrangement of pages. By
operating a scroll button 452 in scroll bar 450, the user can
scroll the preview image. Since the 2D screen image is for
confirming the finish of image data, edition of image data is
impossible.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, on page flow screen image 460, a
preview display showing the image data in three-dimensional manner
is displayed. The preview display displays the output document
reflecting the state of actual print. When double-sided printing is
being done, the page images are preview-displayed with images also
formed on the rear pages, and when collective printing such as
2-in-1 or 4-in-1 is being done, the page images are
preview-displayed in the collected manner. Thus, the user can
confirm specific manner of finish of the output document. By
flicking the preview display, the user can change the page image
displayed at the central portion to another page image. Since the
page flow screen image is for confirming the finish of image data,
edition of image data is impossible.
[0098] [Edition of Image Data]
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7 to 10, edition of image data in
the edition mode will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, selection
of a page image can be realized by touching preview display 420 or
all-select/clear key 402. If all page images are to be selected,
the user touches all-select/clear key 402. If a part of page images
is to be selected, the user touches preview display 420 of the
desired page image. Referring to FIG. 7, when a page image is
selected, the selected page image is changed to a selection
emphasized image 480. In selection emphasized image 480, each page
image is surrounded by a frame, and an emphasizing mark 482 for
edition is displayed at the center. By dragging the emphasizing
mark 482, the page can be moved. At four corners of selection
emphasized image 480, emphasizing handles are displayed, and the
user can rotate the page image using emphasizing handles 484. By
pressing with a finger a portion other than emphasizing handles
484, the selected page can be dragged. Further, in the present
embodiment, when a page image is selected, in response, a reduced
image 500 of the selected page image is displayed at a fixed area
at the upper right portion of the screen image. When a plurality of
page images are selected, reduced images 500 of the plurality of
pages are displayed. The page images of reduced images 500 are
arranged in ascending order starting from the smaller page number.
If a large number of pages are selected, only the images of few
pages are displayed as reduced images 500 and remaining pages are
displayed collectively like shadows.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, if scroll button 412 in scroll bar 410
is dragged or flicked with reduced image or images 500 being
displayed, the preview display of page images can be scrolled. By
touching a portion other than scroll button 412 in scroll bar 410
also, the preview display can be scrolled until the page
corresponding to the touched portion is displayed. The position
where reduced image or images 500 are displayed is fixed, and it is
unchanged even if the preview display is scrolled.
[0101] After the preview display is moved to the desired position
in this manner, by drag-and-dropping reduced image or images 500 to
a desired position of movement, the position of the selected page
or pages can be changed (moved). At this time, when reduced image
or images 500 are dragged to a space between two page images, an
emphasizing display 522 indicating that a page image or images can
be inserted between these page images is displayed. If reduced
image or images 500 are dropped on emphasizing display 522, the
selected page image or images are inserted between the preceding
and succeeding page images, as shown in FIG. 9. In the present
embodiment, the selected page image or images are moved from the
original position to this position. When the inserting operation
ends, display of reduced image or images 500 disappears.
Specifically, selection of the drag-and-dropped image or images is
canceled.
[0102] Further, the position of a page image can also be changed by
directly drag-and-dropping a page image in the preview display.
Referring to FIG. 7, by selecting and dragging a page image to be
moved, an image 480 of the page is displayed semi-transparently
over the preview display. If a position as a destination of
movement is not displayed, image 480 is drawn to the left or right
end of the screen image, so that the preview display is scrolled.
By dropping image 480 at a desired portion (a portion that allows
insertion as indicated by emphasizing display 522), the selected
image is inserted to that position as shown in FIG. 9.
[0103] Selection and cancellation of selection of a page image are
generally realized by touching and re-touching the page image, and
also possible by operating all-select/clear key 402 (see FIG. 4).
If all-select/clear key 402 is pressed while there is an unselected
page image, all page images, including a page image or images that
have already been selected, are selected. When all-select/clear key
402 is touched again, selection of all pages is cancelled.
[0104] [Software Configuration]
[0105] Mainly referring to FIGS. 11 to 14, a control structure of a
program executed by CPU 300 for realizing the preview display and
page image movement using reduced image 500 as described above will
be described. CPU 300 executes, in parallel with such a program,
programs for realizing general functions of an image editing
apparatus. These programs, however, are not directly related to the
essential portion of the present invention and, therefore, details
thereof will not be described here.
[0106] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11; when the program is executed,
CPU 300 determines which portion of the screen image is touched
(step 542). Depending on the result of determination, the next
process step is determined.
[0107] If scroll bar 410 and scroll button 412 are operated, CPU
300 scrolls preview display 420 (step 544). After the end of step
544, the control returns to step 542.
[0108] If preview display 420 is touched, CPU 300 changes the
display on the screen image (step 546). Details of step 546 will be
described later. After the end of step 546, the control returns to
step 542.
[0109] If page delete key 404 is touched, CPU 300 determines
whether or not a page image has been selected (step 548). If the
determination is positive, CPU 300 deletes the selected page (step
550), and the control returns to step 542. If the determination at
step 548 is negative, the control returns to step 542.
[0110] If magnification change key 406 is touched, CPU 300 changes
the display magnification of preview display 420 (step 552). As the
magnification is changed, preview display 420 is enlarged or
reduced. After the end of step 552, the control returns to step
542.
[0111] If all-select/clear key 402 is touched, CPU 300 changes the
display on the screen image (step 554). Details of step 554 will be
described later. After the end of step 554, the control returns to
step 542.
[0112] If reduced image 500 shown in FIG. 7 is touched, CPU 300
executes image edition using the reduced image (step 556). Details
of step 556 will be described later. After the end of step 556, the
control returns to step 542.
[0113] If display mode switching key 408 is touched, the display
mode is switched, and the 1D fit screen image shown in FIG. 4 is
changed to the 2D screen image shown in FIG. 5 or to the page flow
screen image shown in FIG. 6 (step 558). Thereafter, the control is
passed to the screen image program of the switched-in screen image
and, when step 558 ends, the control of the program ends.
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 12, the control at step 546 of
FIG. 11 will be described. The process differs depending on what
operation has been made on the preview display. If the preview
display is touched, CPU 300 determines whether or not the image of
the touched preview display has already been selected (step 582).
If the determination is positive, CPU 300 sets the page to
unselected state, and cancels the display of selection emphasized
image 480 and reduced image 500 (step 586). If the determination at
step 582 is negative, CPU 300 sets the touched image as an object
of selection, and displays the selection emphasized image and the
reduced image of the page image (step 584). After the end of step
584 or 586, the control returns to step 542 of FIG. 11.
[0115] If a page image of preview display is dragged, CPU 300
determines Whether or not the dragged portion is emphasizing handle
484 (step 588). If the determination is positive, CPU 300 rotates
the page in accordance with the dragging operation (step 590. If
the determination at step 588 is negative, CPU 300 edits the page
(step 592). Specifically, if the image is drag-and-dropped on page
delete key 404, the page is deleted. If the image is
drag-and-dropped to any position on the page images of preview
display, CPU 300 moves and inserts the selected image to the
dragged position. After the end of steps 590 and 592, the control
returns to step 542 of the main routine.
[0116] If the preview image is flicked, CPU 300 scrolls the preview
display in accordance with the speed and length of trajectory of
the flick (step 594). After the end of step 594, the control
returns to step 542 of the main routine.
[0117] Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 13, the control up to step 554
of FIG. 11 will be described. If all-select/clear key 402 is
touched, CPU 300 determines whether or not the page images have
already been all selected (step 612). If the determination is
positive, the control proceeds to step 614, at which CPU 300
cancels selection of all pages (step 614). Specifically, all pages
are set to unselected state, and display of selection emphasized
image 480 and reduced image 500 shown in FIG. 7 is cancelled. If
the determination at step 612 is negative, the control proceeds to
step 616, at which CPU 300 selects all pages (step 616).
Specifically; all pages are selected and displayed in emphasized
manner, and reduced images 500 are displayed. After the end of
steps 614 and 616, the control returns to step 542 of the main
routine.
[0118] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 14, if reduced image 500 is
dragged, CPU 300 determines whether or not dragging has been
completed (step 632). If the determination is positive, the control
proceeds to step 634, at which CPU 300 detects the position where
reduced image 500 has been dropped. If the determination at step
632 is negative, control proceeds to step 636, at which CPU 300
updates the screen image as the dragging continues. Specifically,
reduced image 500 is moved to a position that corresponds to the
dragging use's finger. At this time, reduced image 500 is displayed
semi-transparent, so that the contents of preview display given in
overlapped manner can be confirmed. If reduced image 500 is dragged
between page images of the preview display, CPU 300 displays the
emphasizing display 522 shown in FIG. 8 between the pages. If
reduced image 500 is dragged to an end portion of the screen image,
CPU 300 scrolls the preview display in a direction opposite to the
dragging of the reduced image. Specifically, by dragging reduced
image 500, the user can scroll the preview display. After the end
of step 636, the control returns to step 632.
[0119] At step 638, CPU 300 determines whether or not the position
detected at step 634 is the position of page delete key 404. If the
determination is positive, CPU 300 deletes the image data of the
dragged page image (step 640), updates the display in accordance
with the result (step 648), and ends the process. If the
determination at step 638 is negative, the control proceeds to step
642. At step 642, CPU 300 determines whether or not dropping at
that position is possible. If the determination is positive, the
control proceeds to step 644, and if it is negative, the control
returns to step 542 of the main routine. At step 644, CPU 300 moves
and inserts the dragged page image to the drop position. At step
646, CPU 300 cancels selection of the page. Specifically, the page
or pages are set to unselected state, the emphasized display is
returned to normal display, and the reduced display is deleted. At
step 648, CPU 300 updates the preview display in accordance with an
immediately preceding operation, and the control returns to step
542 of the main routine.
[0120] [Operation]
[0121] If image edition is done using the preview display, image
editing apparatus 100 operates in the following manner. In the
following description, FIGS. 11 to 14 are mainly referred to.
[0122] When a document placed on a platen is read by document
reacting unit 102 as image data, the image data is once stored in
hard disk 302. From the image data, images for preview display are
created. Using the images for preview display, a preview display of
read image data is displayed on touch-panel display 130. It is
possible for the user to switch the display mode using display mode
switching key 408. If display mode switching key 408 is touched,
image editing apparatus 100 changes the display screen image to 1D
fit screen image 400 shown in FIG. 4, 2D screen image 440 shown in
FIG. 5 or to page flow screen image 460 shown in FIG. 6.
[0123] On 1D fit screen image 400 as the display screen image in
the edition mode, various function keys related to edition are
displayed. Image editing apparatus 100 edits the image data in
accordance with how the function keys are operated. Here, the
operation of image editing apparatus 100 when the editing operation
is done using the preview image and the reduced image will be
described.
[0124] Referring to FIG. 12, preview display 420 shown in FIG. 4 is
touched, and if the touched image has not been selected, image
editing apparatus 100 selects the image (step 584). Specifically,
the touched image is set as an object of selection, and the image
is changed to selection emphasized image 480 shown in FIG. 7. At an
upper right portion of the display screen image, reduced image 500
of the image is displayed. If the touched image has already been
selected, image editing apparatus 100 cancels selection of the
image (step 586). Specifically, the touched image is set to
unselected state, the selection emphasized image 480 is returned to
the original preview display, and display of reduced image 500 is
cancelled.
[0125] In this manner, since the selected page image is displayed
as an emphasized image and reduced image, the user can easily
confirm which image is selected, even if the preview display is
scrolled. Therefore, he/she can confirm which page is the selected
page while doing other operations and, therefore, efficient editing
operation becomes possible. If the number of images is large, or if
the selected images are discontinuous, display of emphasized images
and reduced images are particularly helpful.
[0126] If emphasizing handle 484 is dragged, image editing
apparatus 100 rotates the page image in accordance with the dragged
position (step 590). If a portion other than emphasizing handle 484
on the page image is dragged, image editing apparatus 100 edits the
dragged page image (step 592). Specifically, if the image is
drag-and-dropped on page delete key 404, image editing apparatus
100 deletes the page. If the image is drag-and-dropped at any
position on the page image of preview display, image editing
apparatus 100 inserts the image to the dragged portion.
[0127] If the preview display is flicked, image editing apparatus
100 scrolls the preview display in accordance with the speed and
length of trajectory of the flick (step 594).
[0128] Referring to FIG. 14, if reduced image 500 is dragged, image
editing apparatus 100 updates the display of screen image in
accordance with the dragging movement (step 636). Specifically,
image editing apparatus 100 moves reduced image 500 to the dragged
position and displays it semi-transparently. If reduced image 500
is dragged between pages of the preview display, image editing
apparatus 100 displays the emphasizing display 522 between the
pages. If reduced image 500 is dropped on emphasizing display 522,
image editing apparatus 100 moves the dragged page to the dropping
position (step 644), and cancels selection of the page image (step
646). If reduced image 500 is dragged to an end portion of the
screen image, image editing apparatus 100 scrolls the preview
display in a direction opposite to the dragging direction.
[0129] As described above, when image edition takes place, the
editing operation is reflected on all selected images. Therefore,
it is possible for the user to collectively edit a plurality of
pages. When there are a plurality of pages to be edited, it is
possible to collectively edit these pages by selecting all these
pages in advance. If the image is dragged between pages between
which insertion is possible, emphasizing display 522 appears
between the pages. Therefore, the user can easily confirm where the
dragged image is to be inserted,
[0130] If all-select/clear key 402 is touched where all images have
already been selected, image editing apparatus 100 cancels
selection (step 614). Specifically, all pages are set to unselected
state, and display of selection emphasized image 480 and reduced
image 500 shown in FIG. 7 are canceled. If there is any image that
is not selected, image editing apparatus 100 selects all pages
(step 616). Specifically, all pages are the object of selection,
these images are emphasized and reduced images are displayed.
[0131] In this manner, by pressing the all-select/clear key, the
user can easily select and cancel selection of pages. If it is
desired to once reset image selection, it is possible for the user
to cancel selection without scrolling the preview display until the
selected image or images appear.
[0132] Though reduced images 500 shown in FIG. 7 show continuous
page images, as the reduced images in accordance with the present
embodiment, discontinuous page images can also be displayed. If
discontinuous page images are to be displayed, page images as
reduced images 500 are arranged in the order of pages, as in the
case of displaying continuous page images. The earliest page image
is displayed on the front-most side of reduced images 500. If a
large number of pages are selected, only a few earlier pages are
displayed.
[0133] Though the selection emphasized image 480 shown in FIG. 10
is displayed to have the same size as the preview display, the size
may be different from the preview display. By way of example, if it
is displayed in a size smaller than the preview display and larger
than the reduced image, a portion overlapped with the preview
display becomes smaller than when it is displayed in the same size
as the preview display. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user
to confirm the preview display.
[0134] In the present embodiment, since the preview image is
smaller than the preview display, it can be displayed on a small
display panel. Therefore, the present invention is applicable to
various image editing apparatuses including display panels. For
example, in addition to multifunction peripherals, application to
printers, facsimile machines, digital cameras and smart phones may
be possible. It is needless to say that the present invention is
applicable to an image editing apparatus having a display panel
larger than the display panel of common multifunction
peripherals.
[0135] As described above, according to the image editing apparatus
in accordance with the present embodiment, if a page image in a
preview display is selected, a reduced image thereof is displayed
at a fixed position on the screen image. Even if a plurality of
pages are selected, reduced images thereof are displayed at the
same position. By drag-and-dropping the reduced image or images to
a desired position, the selected image or images can be edited, for
example, deleted or moved. Since the reduced image is kept
displayed even if the page images are scrolled, it is possible to
scroll at high speed and to move easily even if the page images are
to be moved to a distant position. Since flicking can be used for
scrolling, quick scrolling operation is possible. As compared with
a conventional technique of scrolling the preview display while
dragging the page image to be moved, movement of the page image
becomes easier, quicker and more reliable.
[0136] The embodiments as have been described here are mere
examples and should not be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of
the present invention is determined by each of the claims with
appropriate consideration of the written description of the
embodiments and embraces modifications within the meaning of, and
equivalent to, the languages in the claims.
* * * * *